Sleepless nights

Hi Baby Henry,

It's pretty early in the morning and you are kicking me like crazy. I thought it would be a good time to check in with you while you aren't allowing me to go back to sleep. Here's an update.

We are approaching 27 weeks, which is the last week of the 2nd trimester. You move constantly and often times I'm required to take a walk just to get comfortable. My belly is rather large with you. I get the constant question of if its twins....I don't love getting asked this question. You sure are worth it though.

My sweet tooth is hard to resist with you and I've also craved salads. So I'm hoping there's a nice balance.

Your sister doesn't quite understand being gentle around my tummy. I'll just go ahead and apologize now for all the poking, prodding, yelling, singing at-the-top of her lungs... She's means well, I promise.

She's very excited to be a big sister. She thinks it will be a very special job. I sure hope that continues.

We are slowly finishing your nursery. We just have wall decor and finishing touches. As usual, Daddy and GPa painted your room. All with love and it looks great! 

We sure are excited to meet you. I'm praying for a very healthy baby and smooth delivery. Have fun growing in there sweet boy. Just watch the jabs, it's not often that your sister sleeps through the night. I'd like to have a chance as well.

Love you baby! 

Bella's big girl bed & the halfway point

Bella Girl- 

You made it your first night in your toddler bed! You slept he entire night, not a peep. I'm seriously over the moon right now. You may think it's no big deal, but for weeks you haven't been sleeping in your crib throughout the night. It's been a REAL struggle. Last night, you my sweet girl were a rockstar.

Now, I know that you are a toddler. The highs are high and the lows are low. The bottom could fall out of this any night this week, but I am choosing to live on cloud 9. All rested and refreshed on cloud 9, thank you very much.

Mr. Henry,

Hi sweet boy! You are doing great in there. I'm feeling you flutter around right now. We are looking forward to Saturday. Why? You ask. Well, Saturday is our halfway point! We will be closer to meeting you sweet face. I ordered your crib, dresser and bedding this weekend. I plan to get Daddy busy on your nursery. It's getting exciting around here. Don't worry we won't have too much fun without you.

Love you sweet babies!

Momma

Two is coming

Bella-Bella,

So I haven't posted in a while. Why, you ask. Well, it's because you are so close to TWO you can taste it. Guess what it tastes like... Meltdowns, independence, boundary testing, fit throwing, wild girl, fasting moving, momma needs a nap sweetness. 

It's mind blowing that you can be screaming and throwing a mega fit and I still want to do nothing more than hug and kiss all over those sweet cheeks. It's also minding the rate at which this emotional roller coaster of toddlerhood travels. I mean, we are at warp speed.

You are super fun though! Most days I feel like we are in a production of some sort. You have a song, dance, prop or wardrobe change of some sort, constantly. You make me laugh ALL THE TIME. Just not when you are screaming like you are on fire at 3:00 am.

So, our blog time as pregnancy and infancy was so precious. Which means I need to give Baby Henry some love.

Take care Peach!

Hi Baby Henry,

So, you should know as the second child your blog is going to lack luster. I won't have bump updates or cravings to post. I mean let's face it, you are a boy and we've chosen a name and this is my first post to you. Sorry kid, your sister is a handful. 

Please don't feel as if you are less loved or wanted, that's just the way it goes. CC has album after album of Uncle Will. There's about 10 pictures of me. Most of which include Will. Don't worry I'll be sure to tell Bella, "give the baby what he wants" all the time. 

So little mister you are in fact a mister. We've also decided on Henry and will probably sneak Hank in as the nickname. Middle name is after GPa, John.

 We are so excited for you. Bella sings to you at night. She also lays & sometimes elbows you. Sorry about that!

You are growing quickly and moving a ton at 18 weeks. I hope this isn't a sign of you being wild too. I'll love you no matter what.

Stay safe in there little fella.

Love, 

Momma 

Long time no blog

Hi Baby,

I know, I know, I know long time no post. How in the world are you going to be able to look back and see what kind of sweet toddler you are. Well my little princess there are enough pictures from Hon and videos from Momma, Daddy and CC to almost get you day-to-day. Yeah, we are pretty obsessed with you. 

We are obsessed with your funny personality. You repeat everything we say. You are simply brilliant in what you retain and how you problem solve. While playing alone I've heard you sing 5 different songs, count to 10 (sometimes 12) and sing your alphabet including the last verse of "next time won't you sing with me". You sweet cheeks are the apple of my eye. 

So before you go thinking you are all rainbows and butterflies to live with just hold on a minute. You are a true toddler. You are still working on your patience. If you can't get your wagon or baby stroller up the step you shot out "help please". Only once, maybe twice before you are face down crying about it. Your favorite phrase is "No Daddy". You like things your way and aren't afraid to throw a fit about it. You favorite method of public fit throwing is the go completely limp and force Momma to drag you out over her shoulder. It's never graceful and I'm usually hot and sweaty trying to keep from yelling in public. Poor Maddy probably takes the brunt of your orneriness. You step, lay, squeeze, smother with blankets all over her. In your defense you think you are taking care of her.

You do have a great heart for taking care of your babies. You love babies furry or baby doll, you cherish them with hugs kisses, stroller walks, rocking, singing, the hot dog dance and covering them up to go "night-night". I mean they are face down and covered from head to toe, they may not have oxygen, but they are pretend so we let it pass. You have such sweet mothering skills.

It makes me excited to tell you...You're going to be a big SISTER! Coming in September you will have a real baby in the house. I'm so excited to see you with the new baby, very supervised of course.

Until then you better soak up Momma's undivided attention! 

Love you,

Momma

Busy Bee Part III

The day came. I dreaded it and I couldn't wait for it. The day came, it came in perfectly. The day came, in which we celebrated your first birthday. Bella Girl, this day was beautiful. I kept thinking back to your birth. Kept thinking back to the itty bitty you. Then you would come crashing in. You would giggle and I would enjoy the moment. 

You started the week being very sick. Very sick. Fever, cough, lethargic. You stayed with GPa and Hon a couple days. We were worried you were contagious (you were, just ask Aunt Randi). We asked all of our friends with kids to stay home and not risk a break out of what you had. Adults came and celebrated you. It was so much fun and a beautiful day. You played so hard. Stasha and Kennedy got a lot of fun play time with you. They went all over the playset. And you loved it. 

We had a nice little lunch that Daddy grilled and moved on to the cake. We all gathered round, smiling from ear to ear. We highly anticipated a big handful of cake. You did not smash the cake. For once in your life you were delicate and did not like the food in front of you. Wild, I know. I don't get it. I'm not pushing you to like cake. Momma knows that addiction all too well. 

After the cake we hosed you down for more playtime. Finally, we ended your party with a two hour nap on Nannys life. Perfect. 

Baby girl, I'm shocked you are one. You have grown like a weed. 31" and 26 lbs. You love a foods (except cake), but you really can't go without yogurt or puffs. You are even more attached to lamby. Love Maddy and shoes (a girl after my own heart). You are best when we keep you routine, even if it's a 6:45 bedtime. Your giggle melts my heart and your big 8 toothed smile is the prettiest thing I've ever seen. Your vocabulary includes Ma-ma, Da-da, Daaag (dog), Baaaal (ball), down, puff, shews (shoes) & we are working on thank you ( you can kind of hear it). You love to sit on the bathroom counter while I put my make up on every morning. You take brushes and put them on your face and hair just like momma, pretty darn cute. 

We love you baby, we love you oh so much. You are our sunshine, the light of our lives. 

Busy Bee: Part II

Hi Bells,

So, the second activity of yours in May was our first Mother's Day. It was such a special day. I was so very thankful to have you as my reason for this holiday. I've always thought I would have kids, even envisioned a daughter. I never connected the dots of me as a mom.

Well, little girl, you made my unknown dream come true. I couldn't be more myself than I am today. 

Let me remind you how strange this is. I love sleep, you take it away. I love to relax on the couch, I don't even sit on the couch anymore. I'm pretty selfish and can be self absorbed, it's been 4 days since I've washed my hair...forget about the last time I actually made it to the nail salon. Daddy and I never once talked about our bathroom business, your poop is a daily topic, daily topic I tell you. We have researched what milk options, yogurt options, meal plans and toys are best for you more than we have checked the weather, been on Facebook, looked at land and just used google alone. You my little have made a whole new me, one that I never thought would feel like home. Sister, I'm home. I'm home giggling with you, toting you around, playing peek-a-boo, getting in the baby pool, rocking you to sleep and checking on you a million times. I'm right at home. I'm the best version of me, all because of you. Thanks sweet princess for making me have a Mother's Day!

Love,

Momma

Busy Bee: Part I

Bella,

You have been on busy little bee this month. You've hit a few milestones to say the least! 

The first and most humbling experience happened the Saturday before Mother's Day. Daddy & I dedicated you at church. This is called child dedication, but it is much more like parent dedication. We are dedicating our parenting to God. We are choosing to be intentional with how we raise you. Making decision that will provide you a life rich in love and a joyful relationship with Christ. I hope you understand we don't want to enforce religion or rules on you. Your

walk with Christ is your walk, not ours. We can't do this for you. We can't force you into church groups or prayer time. We are simply choosing to publically committ our example for you. We are two people who have found joy and true unconditional love with Christ. We tithe, pray and serve because of our relationship with Christ. We pray this dedication for us will be a standard for you. 

AnnaBella, Christ loves you no matter what you have done. You can never be too bad and you can't earn him by being good. You need to walk and talk with him daily. He's your father and your friend. Healer and compass. I pray you see this always.

We love you very much,

Daddy & Momma